Unclear how / if XnView imports images directly from cameras

[xnmen]

1st, I doubt there's a difference in compatibility of various software detecting my camera vs. most decent, full functioned Canon cameras. Anything's "possible," but mine wasn't a cheap, bottom of the heap unit.
Perhaps the Vista update you mentioned would be the difference? I'll probably try it & let everyone know.
That said, I decided to plug my camera's SD memory card directly into my computer's slot for it. Then, XV (& even IrfanView) can read it (as SD/MMC).

When I plug in the memory card, what shows in regular Explorer, as a removable drive (assigned a letter), is "Canon DC."
At the same time, I can't find any Canon programs running. Don't know if it showing this AND XV being able to read the card is related to some Canon software installed (but doesn't work for the camera itself).

Unless (a stretch) this HP computer recognizes the memory card as formatted w/ a Canon camera, thus assigning "Canon" to the device, shown in Explorer. Dunno.

Since discovering this, I haven't fooled w/ it enough to learn what can be done (say, using XV to import pics) vs. just using Photo Gallery & the camera (connected w/ USB).
Then once pics are on the HDD, viewing w/ XV or others.

* Oddly, by this method, XV DOES allow importing from the card, from XV's File > Acquire. The "acquire from scanner / camera (WIA)" still doesn't work.
Before, the "Acquire" method didn't work w/ camera connected.
* I wonder what XnView is using (in Vista or Canon software...) that allows it to read the card, but not the camera?

This is mostly academic at this point, because removing the SD card from camera, plugging into computer just to use something besides Photo Gallery to import, is not really any easier. UNLESS - for certain uses - XV or others provide function during the import, that Photo Gallery doesn't.

If that turns out to be true, it may sometimes be worth plugging in the SD card directly.

* Obviously, "something" either in Vista or loaded on the PC, makes it where XV, IrfanView & maybe others - can read the SD card, but not the same card while in camera via USB.

* Another unknown for XV & others - will they compare images on the SD card (camera) against ones already D/L (a previous time w/ the same software), to only D/L new images? Photo Gallery shows only images on the camera that haven't been D/L, or at least separates those "new" images from all others left on the camera.
That function is handy if you don't delete photos on the camera after D/L to the PC.

[XnTriq]

I wonder what XnView is using (in Vista or Canon software...) that allows it to read the card, but not the camera?

That's to be expected. All programs (including MediaDetector) recognize the memory card inside a reader, because it's a USB mass storage device which are – as you pointed out – mounted as (removable) drives and get a drive letter assigned to it.
My hope is that the Vista update will allow you to have the camera – although operating in PTP mode – be treated as a removable drive with the help of the WPD FileSystem Volume Driver.

When I plug in the memory card, what shows in regular Explorer, as a removable drive (assigned a letter), is "Canon DC."

“Canon DC” seems to be the card's volume label.

Another unknown for XV & others - will they compare images on the SD card (camera) against ones already D/L (a previous time w/ the same software), to only D/L new images? Photo Gallery shows only images on the camera that haven't been D/L, or at least separates those "new" images from all others left on the camera.
That function is handy if you don't delete photos on the camera after D/L to the PC.

XnView and MediaDetector don't have that feature (yet).

Nikon digital cameras using USB offer the user a choice of several image transfer protocols, MSC (mass storage class), PTP (Picture Transfer protocol), and MTP/PTP (Media Transfer Protocol/ Picture Transfer Protocol) which are selectable through the camera's menu system.

With USB Mass Storage Class, when USB-compatible equipment is connected, it is recognised as a removable drive like an floppy or hard disk drive. This means that images can be read, not only with the supplied software, but also with Internet browsing software such as Internet Explorer, etc., for added versatility.

PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol) is a newer protocol for image transfer that can be used with Windows XP (Home/Professional) and Mac OS X. Most recent COOLPIX cameras and the D100 / D200 / D300/ D300S / D700 / D3/ D3S and D3X offer PTP compatibility, the PTP system will become the future standard protocol and will offer camera control capability from a PC. No drive letter is created.

MTP / PTP is the newest transfer protocol, adding a revised set of instructions to the PTP standard, allowing transfer of audio and video files. Windows Vista has built in support for MTP/PTP, and Windows XP (Home or Professional) requires the installation of Windows Media Player 10 or later to add support. No drive letter is created.

[…]

Image transfer issues due to protocol incompatiilities can usually be bypassed through the use of an inexpensive memory card reader.

The PTPdrive allows digital cameras operating in PTP mode to be mapped to a local drive letter in the Microsoft Windows. Without the PTPdrive, only Mass Storage (MSC) mode cameras can have assigned a drive letter. While some digital cameras can be configured to work in either mode, some models, especially newer ones, only support the PTP/MTP mode.

The PTPdrive offers drive letter mapping so any application can access the pictures in the PTP camera. The PTPdrive gives you the freedom of choice of a file/picture manager, including command-line/script based. The PTPdrive unleashes the full potential of your digital camera in Windows by using camera/picture metadata in the actual picture file names (no more manual renaming like "DSC_0333.JPG" to "2009-09 Summer Vacation 001.jpg").

[xnmen]

No; no way; uh-uh; nope; nada; HET; nicht.
So far, nothing I / we have tried has enabled XV to import from the camera, while connected w/ USB cable.
But you've gone WAY above & beyond the call of (mod) duty. (Teacher, he said "duty")

The initial, main goal of all this (there was a goal?) was not just a way to import pics from the camera, but an import method (software - GUI) that offers more options than native Windows import. e.g., tagging, renaming, sorting & options I've never heard of but probably need.
I can "just import" pics - from the camera - from Explorer, by R clicking the camera name that appears, then "Import." That offers *some* options to change data, before they're imported (see screen shot of XV & Vista import UI).

The XV import screen is from plugging the SD card into the PC. Maybe there are other options available during XV IMPORTING that I'm not seeing?

When I try installing the mentioned WPD Platform Update (KB971514), it runs, checks system for updates (installed updates?), then notifies: "this update does not apply to your system." That is ALL it says. I don't know if it is already installed (or some update including it) & that is the resulting cryptic message. That update was released 10/26/2009 - months after this PC was ordered.

I also found a similar update that I'd D/L'd - some time back (don't remember why). It's KB 971512. It also says "doesn't apply to your system."
But clearly, I have Vista x64 - registered, legal version. It is OEM, but that's never stopped any (required or offered) updates before.
My guess is, the changes that the update would make are already incorporated - somehow.

Also - Note: Searching the registry, there are numerous entries for "WPD...." Under Device Mgr > Portable Devices > Digital Still Camera, there are several drivers related to "wpd" function. It's possible one got corrupted, but no errors show in control panel. Still, uninstalling / reinstalling those drivers won't hurt (probably).

Short of corrupted Windows files / drivers, everything seems to be on my system that would allow recognizing the camera. At some point, I could borrow / connect a different, expensive Nikon - just to see.
Why in the world XV (or any software w/ the ability) would use a DIFFERENT method to recognize / import from cameras than Photo Gallery does, is beyond me.
My guess is, they don't. But (being Windows), other software may not have as easy of a time. But using a "completely different method" - not likely.

[XnTriq]

The initial, main goal of all this (there was a goal?) was not just a way to import pics from the camera, but an import method (software - GUI) that offers more options than native Windows import. e.g., tagging, renaming, sorting & options I've never heard of but probably need.

Do you have any experience working with metadata?

• University of Oregon Libraries
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• About.com Graphics Software
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• Gizmo's Freeware
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• MSDN Blogs
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• OrganizePictures.com
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• Julia Simic
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• YouTube
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• XnView Forum
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• Wikipedia
  • Image organizer
  • Metadata » Photographs

• Microsoft Windows Vista - Photo Gallery saves tags to XMP (MS Windows)
• Windows Live Photo Gallery - a photo management and sharing application released as a part of Microsoft's Windows Live initiative. It is an upgraded version of Windows Photo Gallery, which is a part of Windows Vista.
• XnView - can read/write Exif, IPTC and XMP information.